Saturday, May 21, 2011

Last weekend was quite a whirlwind for TeamReno. The week prior B had started potty-training (talk about speed sanctification for Mama) and his reward was riding the carousel and train at Oak Meadow Park. He was SO excited all week. My parents were also in town last weekend as we were all congregating in Berkeley to celebrate my sister graduating from UC Berkeley (yay Lacey!), so they got to join in on the potty-training celebratory fun. Isn't it so much watching your kids have so much fun? I love it!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Today I am struck by the futility of our existence. That is our existence that attempts to express itself without giving honor or even credence to the One who brought us into existence. Not the vague one (or many) of our universalist, individualistic society, but the One who created the universe out of nothing in 6 days, the One who became a man, lived a perfect life, died on a cross and became alive again. The One who died because we all need one existential change of condition (borrowing a phrase from Arnold Van Gennep in his The Rites of Passage).

We go through many of these changes throughout our life – birth, walking, using a toilet (sorry, that just happens to be on the forefront of my mind at the moment, I am sure you can guess why), becoming a man or woman, graduating from college, marriage, having your first child…the list goes on. But there is one “change of condition” that underlies all others and ultimately brings fulfillment and completion to our existence – knowing Jesus Christ, the One, as Lord and Savior. Without this crucial “change of condition” from an unacknowledged, wandering sinner to a son or daughter welcomed home, any attempt at self-expression, seeking of peace and joy, establishing of meaningful relationship is fruitless, pointless and futile. No one else can offer this fullness of life. Buddha cannot, Muhammad cannot, our own souls cannot.

Where can we look to find Jesus? In the Scriptures. A much needed exhortation to myself. Anna – open the Bible – read – you will find Him there.

“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” –John 14:6